What we've been up to....

Our internet has been MIA over the last few months, but it's back and we're ready to be back in action! We have had a lot of fun times since the last post and I'm just going to lump it all into one REALLY REALLY long post.....

First we had a VERY big and grand FIRST! The twinnies turned one the end of June and a god time was had by all! Kari planned for months and it totally paid off. We all love a good party!

Next came girls camp: Oh girls camp- total love and hate relationship..... I LOVE being away with the girls, but I hate to leave my kids and I hate to sleep and be cold in a tent!

Our fearless leaders

We raised flags

We played some rockin' games

And at the end of the week, we were all stinkier, exhausted, and spiritually fed (I actually only went the first half, but I was 10 weeks pregnant so I was definitey tired)

What an amazing sight it was to see our girls reading their BOM's around the campfire- voluntarily might I add.....

This is why there have been 5+ deaths in the state of Utah alone from river drownings, and why the Ramsay's stayed well away from any body of water until they all went way down

Next up: San Francisco! We had THE best time ever! The plane rides went pretty smoothly as did the whole vacation - which is saying a lot when we have a fearless, adventuresome 20 month old along for the ride!

You will see at least 3 of these types of pictures in our stay in S.F.- we played so hard all day, and Ava was out like a light by 9 pm no matter where we were or what we were doing

Chinatown with the Ramsays, complete with a park

The main purpose of our visit was a pharmacy convention- so while I spent about 10 hours doing CE, Neal was amazing at entertaining the kids, plus he got the bonus of taking Sawyer back to our hotel for a 3 hour nap (for both) every day

Pier 39, Bubba Gumps, carousel, running

We hired a small boat against my way better judgement to take a harbor tour- luckily we did! It was amazing and the captains were cool.

Alcatraz in all it's glory!?

We finished up the night with a little Ghiradelli chocolate and a 2 hour fight for a cab ride.... that was a nightmare for sure. When we rolled into our hotel (which was amazing, BTW) at 11 pm, Sawyer was going strong and Ava had been out for at least 2 hours....

Golden Gate Bridge

Lombard street

A little slice of heaven- Scoma's. YUMMM!

Ava begged for days to do the trampoline at pier 39- Our last visit before we left, the line was short enough to brave and this girl couldn't have been happier!

Patiently waiting to board our plane home. sniff sniff

Next up- the 24th of July !? oops- out of order, but we'll roll with it

On our visit to Kanab, this little man sure ended up loving this big man.... I heard the words "baapah" about a million times a day!

Here we go- the real next up: 4th of July- pretty low-key. We spent a few hours at Liberty Park, sweated, ate, and headed home to do some old fashioned fireworks....

This is our new Sawyer holder- he likes it pretty well and we do to, especially me since Luke shoulders does most of the carrying

The girls supervising the lighting

My kids don't exactly like loud noises.... as hard as we try!

You think this looks like a bad idea....?

It definitely was!- but it was a holiday, and he LOVED every last lick of it

We contemplated going to see the Holladay fireworks, but decided we wanted to sleep instead (plus I had already drug Luke to one overly crowded event that day so he had maxed out) so Ava got to enjoy all four Salt Lake Valley firework shows from our own yard :)

Next: a little visit to the Gateway water fountain---- not a success. The kids didn't love and I thought Saw would slip and crack his head open on more than one occassion.....

cutest.picture.ever

Now on the the 24th- we spent it in Kanab and had a great time. We went to the Ramsay reunion and town parade sans camera so no pictures, but we had a great time

We ended the night with some newly legalized aerial (sp?) fireworks and luckily this time my brothers didn't manage to burn an exorbant amound of acreage- ie like they did at my grandma's the week before.....

I don't recommend putting a picture of yourself on your blog if it looks like this....

We even had some family out to join in the food and festivities

Then: The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! My mom, Ava, and I went and it was a fabulous play and a fabulous night- complete with surprise fireworks after the show and pictures with the cast

This picture was taken at 11:00 pm and we still had a long drive to Kanab ahead of us- so I told Ava we would do pictures with Ariel in Disneyland when we go in a few months, but that she could watch for a minute...... I felt so depressed watching her longingly look at all the kids getting pictures.......

And an hour later we got this: totally worth it!

We enjoyed some four-wheeling while in Kanab... complete with Jeff and a harmonica....

We had many community baths.... and lots of splashing!

And of course, pool time!

We capped off the Kanab vacay with a family show at the local gazebo- complete with Ava making her singing debut, she was so so so cute! S spent most of the show in his stroller so as to be contained (don't worry, he had plenty of snacks to occupy him)

Three of my beautiful cousins!

Ava danced the night away on the sidelines

And lastly.... actually this was supposed to be very first- youth conference at Kingsfisherbend (sp?) ranch outside Evanston. I took the kids up and we stayed for a few days (and nights)- not an ideal situation, but when you work, have two small kids, and a calling in Young Women's sometimes you compromise. The kids did great and loved every minuted of it! The youth were so awesome and everyone had an amazing time.

Ava catching her first Crawdad

Sawyer running

Ava splashing

And the kids riding horses for their first time!

Thanks for hanging in with us until the end...... I'll be a better blogger I promise!